The internet and digital technologies are transforming our world. But existing barriers online mean citizens miss out on goods and services, internet companies and start-ups have their horizons limited, and businesses and governments cannot fully benefit from digital tools. It's time to make the EU's single market fit for the digital age – tearing down regulatory walls and moving from 28 national markets to a single one. This could contribute €415 billion per year to our economy and create hundreds of thousands of new jobs.

Renewing the 'Connecting Europe Facility', with €42.3 billion to support investments in the European infrastructure networks for transport (€30.6 billion), energy (€8.7 billion) and digital (€3 billion)

The European Parliament and the Council reached late last night a political agreement to update the EU's telecoms rules. The new European Electronic Communications Code, proposed by the Commission, will boost investments in very high capacity networks across the EU, including in remote and rural areas.

Background

Europeans often face barriers when using online tools and services. In a functional digital single market there will be fewer barriers and more opportunities: it will enable people and businesses to trade and to innovate freely. They can do so legally, safely, securely and affordably, which in turn will make their lives easier.

Often enough, offline barriers to the single market are spreading to the online digital world. For example, online marketplaces are still mainly domestic in terms of online services. Only 7% of small and medium-sized businesses in the EU sell cross-border. This can change by putting the single market online.

The aim of the Juncker Commission is to create a digital single market where the free movement of goods, persons, services, capital and data is guaranteed — and where citizens and businesses can seamlessly and fairly access online goods and services, whatever their nationality, and wherever they live.

The digital single market could contribute €415 billion to the European economy, boosting jobs, growth, competition, investment and innovation. It can expand markets, offering better and more cost-effective services, transform public services and create new jobs. It can create opportunities for new start-ups and allow companies to grow and innovate in a market of over 500 million people.

A completed digital single market can help Europe hold its position as a world leader in the digital economy.

Objectives

Boosting e-commerce in the EU by tackling geoblocking, making cross-border parcel delivery more affordable and efficient

Updating EU audiovisual rules and working with platforms to create a fairer environment for everyone, promote European films, protect children and tackle hate speech

Scaling up Europe's response to cyber-attacks by strengthening ENISA, the EU cybersecurity agency, and creating an effective EU cyber deterrence and criminal law response to better protect Europe's citizens, businesses and public institutions

Unlock the potential of a European data economy with a framework for the free flow of non-personal data in the EU

Helping large and small companies, researchers, citizens and public authorities to make the most of new technologies by ensuring that everyone has the necessary digital skills, and by funding EU research in health and high performance computing